Distinctive Rorschach profiles of young adults with schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

ObjectiveThe differential diagnosis of schizophrenia (SZ) versus autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be clinically challenging because accumulating evidence suggests both clinical and biological overlaps between them. The aim of this study was to compare Rorschach profiles between young adults with SZ and those with ASD.MethodsWe evaluated quantitative tendencies on the Rorschach test among 20 patients diagnosed with SZ and 20 diagnosed with ASD. Both groups were matched for age, sex, and intelligence quotient.ResultsWe found significant differences in six response variables on the Rorschach comprehensive system. Those with SZ had significantly higher scores on D score, adjusted D score (Adj D), developmental quality code reflecting ordinary response (DQo), and form quality minus (FQ −) than those with ASD. In contrast, those with SZ had significantly lower scores on the active and developmental quality code reflecting synthesized response (DQ+) subscales than those with ASD.ConclusionThe present findings reveal that individuals with SZ might have more stress tolerance, stronger perception distortions, and simpler and poorer recognition than those with ASD. We suggest that the Rorschach test might be a useful tool for differentiating between SZ and ASD.

Projective Response of Patients with Somatic Symptom Disorder Compared To Controls Based On Location Score in Rorschach Test

“…In this regard, it can be justified that individuals with SSD may be less comprehensive and the high frequency of Dd scores in them may indicate symptoms such as anxiety and obsessive-compulsive behaviors that were reduced due to their response details. The results of Yamamoto et al's study also showed that the perceived location scores of two groups of schizophrenia and autism were significantly different and those with schizophrenia had higher D scores [17]. Contrary to our results, Pasha Sharifi and Kheradpey in a study with the purpose of comparing the responses of depressed and anxious individuals with healthy people using Rorschach test, showed no significant difference between the scores of anxiety and depressed individuals in terms of Rorschach test variables [19].…”

Revisiting Rorschach test and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-II patterns in Kraepelinian vs. DSM-wise Schizophrenia: How They Differ and What It Means for Diagnosis

“… 31 , 48 , 49 In a recent study, patients with schizophrenia showed higher D, DQ and FQ-, while having lower DQ+, reflecting their distorted perception and poor recognition. 50 Another study showed that patients with schizophrenia showed significant differences in several different variables, including W, S, Dd, DQ, FQ, H, Fd and also special scores. 51 …”

L’ADI-R et l’ADOS face au diagnostic différentiel des troubles du spectre autistique : intérêts, limites et ouvertures

“…Une autre proposition à laquelle nous souscrivons est alors celle d'un travail au-delà des comportements directement observables, par la prise en compte à la fois du sens derrière le manifeste de la clinique et aussi de ce qui émerge de la rencontre toujours singulière entre le clinicien et le sujet autiste, suivant une épistémologie psychodynamique. Cette appréhension, qui cherche à dégager des constantes dans le fonctionnement et les évolutions propres à la clinique autistique, peut être opérationnalisée par le recours à une méthodologie projective, notamment le test de Rorschach qui montre d'ailleurs déjà tout son potentiel en matière de diagnostic différentiel [56,[88][89][90]. Cette approche du fonctionnement psychique est tout à fait compatible avec l'utilisation des outils conseillés par les autorités de santé [42,91], et, plus encore, apparaît comme complémentaire [31].…”